Hey everyone,
I have now been transferred to the great land of Ashburn. It really is crazy that this is most likely my last area. It feels like yesterday when I was with my trainer serving in the Centreville 2nd ward and now I am in my 4th area and have two transfers to run like the wind. My companion's name is Sister Richins. She 23 and is from Kaysville. We were in the MTC at the same time but while I was preparing to serve in DC, she was preparing to serve in Japan. She served in Japan for 6 months and then had to come home from an illness. She came back out on her mission in February and has been such an asset to the mission. I was her sister training leader when I served in Gainesville and now Sister Richins and I are opening the area for a sister training leaders. We were really close before we became companions. I am so grateful for all of the companions that the Lord has given me. I really have been so blessed!
My last week in Gainesville was rough. Gainesville will always have a special place in my heart! I was there for so long and so all of the ward members were practically family. Many tears were shed but I am grateful for all of the experiences I have had there. Transfer meeting was really unexpected. I have been a sister training leader since November and so I knew in my heart that I would be done with my leadership position. I was wrong... when I finish my mission I will have been a sister training leader for two thirds of my mission. One whole year! I know that the reason I came on my mission was for the sisters. I am grateful that the Lord knows that I need to still be in this position. We have some rockstar sisters that I have stewardship over. I am really looking forward to getting to know them better. I was on Facebook shortly after being transferred and I saw a post on Facebook that made me so happy and helped me know that I did do good work while I was there.
Facebook comment: "Hailey immediately started sobbing after the missionaries left tonight because Sister Smith is transferring. When we asked her why she said "I picture her as me when I'm a missionary.... Why did she have to go" Already thinking about when we will see Sister Smith again! However, we still have Sister Schramm and we get to meet her new companion."
Ashburn has been so lovely these last few days. We are so busy all of the time. We have a baptism on Wednesday for an amazing woman named Claudia. She was found tracting and loves the gospel. It has been fun to teach her these last few days and I know that we will come to know each other better through the course of my time here. We are also teaching many people and I know that we will see lots of success this transfer. I know that I am supposed to be here and I am so grateful for it.
Fun fact #1 Ashburn is located in Louden county and this county is the richest county in the nation. HOORAY!
Fun fact #2 I also live in a place like the Hilton. It's the nicest place that I have ever lived in. Everything is new and modern. I really have been spoiled.
I love you all and am grateful that you all had a good week in school. It's crazy that we will have a new bishopric this next week. I will be coming home to a new bishop and a new stake president... WEIRD! Please keep me updated and let me know who our new bishopric is and how they divided the boundaries. Mom have fun with grandma in St. George and take lots of pictures. Let's plan on Justin next Monday at 6pm your time. Please please please message me on Facebook as soon as you confirm with Justin.
Also, I will be in touch with president this week. Has my application been submitted? I possibly could be living with a recent convert, another member from the Gainesville ward, and Sister Lindmeir. They want to be my roommates in January and I think it would be great to have part of the mission still with me when I return. Can you message Kiana Lindmeir on Facebook and see if she has been looking for places?
I love you!
Love, Sister Smith
I have now been transferred to the great land of Ashburn. It really is crazy that this is most likely my last area. It feels like yesterday when I was with my trainer serving in the Centreville 2nd ward and now I am in my 4th area and have two transfers to run like the wind. My companion's name is Sister Richins. She 23 and is from Kaysville. We were in the MTC at the same time but while I was preparing to serve in DC, she was preparing to serve in Japan. She served in Japan for 6 months and then had to come home from an illness. She came back out on her mission in February and has been such an asset to the mission. I was her sister training leader when I served in Gainesville and now Sister Richins and I are opening the area for a sister training leaders. We were really close before we became companions. I am so grateful for all of the companions that the Lord has given me. I really have been so blessed!
My last week in Gainesville was rough. Gainesville will always have a special place in my heart! I was there for so long and so all of the ward members were practically family. Many tears were shed but I am grateful for all of the experiences I have had there. Transfer meeting was really unexpected. I have been a sister training leader since November and so I knew in my heart that I would be done with my leadership position. I was wrong... when I finish my mission I will have been a sister training leader for two thirds of my mission. One whole year! I know that the reason I came on my mission was for the sisters. I am grateful that the Lord knows that I need to still be in this position. We have some rockstar sisters that I have stewardship over. I am really looking forward to getting to know them better. I was on Facebook shortly after being transferred and I saw a post on Facebook that made me so happy and helped me know that I did do good work while I was there.
Facebook comment: "Hailey immediately started sobbing after the missionaries left tonight because Sister Smith is transferring. When we asked her why she said "I picture her as me when I'm a missionary.... Why did she have to go" Already thinking about when we will see Sister Smith again! However, we still have Sister Schramm and we get to meet her new companion."
Ashburn has been so lovely these last few days. We are so busy all of the time. We have a baptism on Wednesday for an amazing woman named Claudia. She was found tracting and loves the gospel. It has been fun to teach her these last few days and I know that we will come to know each other better through the course of my time here. We are also teaching many people and I know that we will see lots of success this transfer. I know that I am supposed to be here and I am so grateful for it.
Fun fact #1 Ashburn is located in Louden county and this county is the richest county in the nation. HOORAY!
Fun fact #2 I also live in a place like the Hilton. It's the nicest place that I have ever lived in. Everything is new and modern. I really have been spoiled.
I love you all and am grateful that you all had a good week in school. It's crazy that we will have a new bishopric this next week. I will be coming home to a new bishop and a new stake president... WEIRD! Please keep me updated and let me know who our new bishopric is and how they divided the boundaries. Mom have fun with grandma in St. George and take lots of pictures. Let's plan on Justin next Monday at 6pm your time. Please please please message me on Facebook as soon as you confirm with Justin.
Also, I will be in touch with president this week. Has my application been submitted? I possibly could be living with a recent convert, another member from the Gainesville ward, and Sister Lindmeir. They want to be my roommates in January and I think it would be great to have part of the mission still with me when I return. Can you message Kiana Lindmeir on Facebook and see if she has been looking for places?
I love you!
Love, Sister Smith